Trainer for PCBL Paul Vunituraga says the Pacific is his office.
With the Pacific region as “his office” Paul Vunituraga has arguably the best working space in the world.
Hailing from Fiji, Paul has 16 years’ experience working in the media and television landscape.
While completing a degree in film and TV at university in Aotearoa New Zealand, Paul would take up any industry related work for the sake of experience, before landing a job with a broadcaster in Papua New Guinea, an experience he will cherish forever, he says.
Now an independent TV producer, production manager, broadcast manager and TV/media trainer, Paul first connected with Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (PCBL), when it was first established in 2015.
“My work is usually in one of the three areas: doing some work for or with a broadcaster, broadcasting to a broadcaster or helping non-broadcasting organisations broadcast something,” Paul explains.
“Currently, I mainly conduct TV training to PCBL’s member broadcasters…the Pacific is now my office.”
Most recently, Paul delivered a five-day PCBL training programme in Honiara, to Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) and Tavuli News, where topics ranged from producing live programming to formatting TV programmes.
Driving Paul to do the work he does is a passion for the growth and development of the TV and media in the region.
“One day, I would like to see the content being produced from the Pacific to be at a level where it is comparable or surpasses content being produced in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
“And one day, I would like to see producers from the Pacific, producing content that goes internationally.
“The economics might be not on our side, but we must start somewhere.
“This I believe, is my calling, my purpose, my ikigai.”
While often touted, Paul firmly believes collaboration is key in the Pacific.
“I have worked on several projects and productions in the region where it is too big for one broadcaster to undertake on its own, so it needs to collaborate with another broadcaster, sometimes a direct competitor, to ensure the success of this production.
“With PCBL’s position and reputation across the region and being a common denominator, it is in the best position to broker these collaborations.”
Paul’s work is invaluable in the region, as while there are various training institutions and universities which offer formal training and apprenticeships specifically for the film, TV and broadcast industry, it is not the case for the Pacific.
“This is the gap we all need to collectively fill – this is why our work is important.”
Email info@pasifikatv.co.nz for more information on PCBL’s training workshops in the region.
